Ramanath Rai Demands Union Education Minister’s Resignation Over NEET Leak

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, May 13, 2026: Senior Congress leader and former minister Ramanath Rai on Wednesday demanded that the Union government take responsibility for the alleged NEET question paper leak and called for the resignation of the Union Education Minister, accusing the Centre of failing to protect the sanctity of the examination.

Addressing a press conference at the Dakshina Kannada District Congress office, Rai alleged that the NEET question paper had leaked three to four times since 2020. He said the Centre had earlier promised strict measures and investigations to prevent such incidents, and urged the government to disclose the status of those probes and the action taken against the accused.

Rai said stringent punishment in earlier cases could have prevented the latest leak. He further alleged the involvement of a coaching centre mafia backed by retired government officials and ministers, terming the incident as “playing with the future of lakhs of students.”

Questioning the credibility of the proposed CBI investigation, he said there was growing public distrust towards government investigating agencies. “If the government cannot protect the examination system itself, how can it safeguard the future of children?” he asked.

Launching a sharp attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Rai said people would find relief if the Prime Minister stepped down from office. He criticised Modi for asking citizens to reduce diesel and petrol consumption and avoid buying gold while preaching sacrifice to the public.

Rai also referred to the earlier Union government led by Manmohan Singh, stating that LPG subsidies were provided then to shield common people from rising fuel prices. He accused the present government of misleading the public despite slogans such as “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas” and “Viksit Bharat.”

He said gold represented emotion, dreams and financial security for women, and alleged that the Centre’s policies were undermining those sentiments. He also expressed concern over the increase in commercial LPG prices, stating that it had impacted the prices of essential commodities.

Rai accused the Union government of favouring the rich and corporate sector instead of protecting the interests of ordinary citizens.

Congress leaders Shashidhar Hegde, Mamatha Gatti, Appi, Vikas Shetty, Baby Kunder, Jayasheela Adyanthaya, Suhan Alva, Shubhodaya Alva, Yogeesh, Shabeer Siddakatte, Nazir Bajal and Prakash Salian were present at the press conference.